Stretcher for artists&#39; use.



Patented Oct. 29, [90L 8 USE.

S. STBETGHE 8; GARDNER. R FDR ARTIST ation filed Jan. 18, 1901.;

(No Model.)

' 'UNITED STATES PATENT Crrrcn.

SAMUEL S. GARDNER, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

STRETCHER FOR ARTISTS USE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 685,511, d t d October 29, 1991. Application filed January 18, 1901. Serial No. 43,732. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL S. GARDNER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania,haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Stretchers for Artists Use, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates ,to certain new and useful improvements in picture-stretchers such as are employed by artists in stretching canvas, heavy paper, or other material over a frame in position for painting; and it has for its object to construct a stretcher of this class wherein a convexed or other desired shape may be imparted to the finished picture after the latter has been painted.

The present invention further aims toapply my improvements to either square, oval, or circular stretchers, and to bulge the canvas or paper upon which the picture is painted or printed outwardly, giving it a convened surface and appearance that will be highly attractive and in many instances desirable to produce the proper effect. Especially is this true where it is desired to more clearly bring forth the perspective drawing of a picture.

A still further object of my invention is to construct a stretcher of the above-described class that will be extremely simple, strong, durable, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the above and other objects in view,the invention broadly consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more particularly described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,and wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which- Figure 1 is a detail plan view of my improved stretcher made in a form to accommodate a substantially rectangular picture. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the back-board in position in the stretcher to impart a convex surface to the finished picture. Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of the stretcher, showing the same construct-ed in a form to receive and accommodate an oval-shaped picture. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of a part of the stretcher, showing the form of means for attaching the stretcher to the picture-frame.

To put my invention into practice, I provide, irrespective of the particular shape or configuration of the pictures to be mounted, a metal rim 1, upon which the canvas or other material 2, upon which the picture is painted or otherwise affixed, is pasted or otherwise rigidly secured. The material from which the metal rim 1 is formed is of a sufficient width so that a portion thereof may be bent inwardly, and this inwardly-bent portion is provided at intervals with V-shaped slits 3, thus forming between each pair of the slits a spring-clamp 4, which, upon pressure being applied to its outer face, will be compressed inwardly toward the inner face of the rim, and when this pressure on the outer face is relieved the spring-clamps will return to their normal po sition.

In the illustration of my invention herein I have shown a convexed picture, and to produce such a form of picture the back-board 5, having a convex outer face, is placed against the rear of the canvas or other material upon which the picture is to be affixed, and by pressure exerted against this back-board the same is forced against the material until the said board is passed beyond the free edge of the spring clamps 4, at which time these clamps spring back to their normal position and securely fasten the board in position, as shown in Fig. 2. Previous to placing the board 5 in position I preferably place upon the back of the canvas or other material a layer or layers of cotton 6 or like material, so as to produce a perfectly smooth or even sur face to the picture. It'will be evident, of course, that by increasing the thickness of this layer at certain points the finished parts of the picture may be altered at will. The free edges of the spring-clamps 4. are prefer ably turned slightly inwardly, so that when the back-board is being forced into position w is the same and the same reference-numerals have been applied to each. While the illustration shows the formation of a convex surface, yet any effect, such as bevel or the like, may be attained.

I desire to call attention to the fact that any desired shape of stretcher may be made upon the same principle to conform to the shape or outline of the picture upon which it is desired to use the stretcher. The backboard, after having once been compressed into position, and which may be done with the thumbs and fingers, will be securely held by the spring-clips ormay be removed at anytime by simply pressing the spring-clips inwardly, thus releasing the catch for the board and permitting the same to spring out. As the back-board used is in itself provided with a convex or other shaped face, according to the desired style of pictures, the latter will not lose its shape upon the canvas, as the picture is at all times stretched tightly across the back-board. It has heretofore, especially in the case of pictures painted upon canvas, been found that the same would lose their shape in case they were hung upon damp walls or in a position where dampness could affect the same, which in the construction of the frame I have set up would be entirelyimpossible. The interposing of the cotton or like material produces a uniformity of height throughout the picture, and this latter material may be of any thickness desired.

It will be observed that in carrying out my invention various changes may be made as may be found necessary, according to the particular style of pictures which it is desired to mount; but such changes as these and others in the details of construction may be made without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a rim, spring-clips arranged on said rim, a canvas secured thereto and means whereby said canvas is bulged, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the character described, a rim, spring-clips formed integral with said rim, a canvas, a convexed back-board arranged on the reverse side of said canvas, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the character described, a rim having an inturned portion, said inturned portion having slits therein to form springclamps, a canvas, and a convex back-board arranged on the reverse side of said canvas, substantially as described.

4:. In a device of the character described, a rim having an inturned portion, said inturned portion having V-shaped slits therein to form spring-clamps, a canvas, and convex backboard arranged on the reverse side of said canvas whereby it is bulged, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL S. GARDNER.

Witnesses:

JOHN NOLAND, A. M. WILSON. 

